Pertegaz
Spain Manuel Pertegaz was a man with big dreams and ambitions.
Born in Olba (Teruel) in 1918, he moved with his family to Barcelona in 1927. In 1930, at the tender age of 12, the young... Read more
Interesting Facts
Manuel Pertegaz was a man with big dreams and ambitions.
Born in Olba (Teruel) in 1918, he moved with his family to Barcelona in 1927. In 1930, at the tender age of 12, the young Manuel was lucky enough to start an apprenticeship with a jeweler in Barcelona, thus getting to know the world of luxury.
In 1942, at the age of 24, he opened his first fashion salon in Barcelona on Avenida Diagonal, a boulevard of Barcelona that runs diagonally through the otherwise checkered city. In 1948, at the age of 30, he opened his first store in Madrid. He triumphed in a postwar capital that yearned for a little luxury. In 1953, at the age of 36, he traveled to the United States for the first time. His creations surprised the fashion industry there and he received orders from all the major houses.
His creations were successful worldwide and when Christian Dior died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1957, Manuel Pertegaz was traded as his successor, but declined the offer. At the first European Fashion Gala in Mexico in 1960 and in the Spanish Pavilion during the 1964 World's Fair in New York, his contributions attracted international attention.
Then in 1965, the first perfume "Pertegaz" was launched.
In 1968, his first prêt-à-porter boutique opened in Spain. By 1969, 700 people were working in his salons in Madrid and Barcelona. Prêt-à-Porter had more and more followers from 1970 and Manuel Pertegaz developed fashion especially for this clientele. In 1974 his second fragrance "Muy Pertegaz" was launched, and in 1982 his last two fragrances "Diagonal" and "Diagonal Sport".
For the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he dressed top model Pat Cleveland as "Dama de Paraguas" ("Umbrella Lady"). For his contribution to the Olympic Games he received the "Golden Peseta".
Manuel Pertegaz has received further international attention and state and royal honors. In 2001 he presented his book "Universo de la Moda".
In 2002, 2003 and 2004 followed further awards and exhibitions. In 2004 he created the wedding dress for the wedding of the Spanish Crown Prince and Crown Princess. In 2009 he was awarded the "Primer Premio Nacional de Diseño de Moda", the first national prize for fashion design, by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
Very many awards, international prizes and honorary titles distinguish the influential fashion designer. Manuel Pertegaz - at the age of 94 today - is one of the greats of the fashion industry in Spain and is mentioned in the same breath as Cristobal Balenciaga. At all times, he had the right feeling for capturing the spirit of the times. His prêt-à-porter collections as well as the creations of the haute couture are milestones of fashion even in the present day.
The perfumes of Manuel Pertegaz "Pertegaz", "Diagonal", "Diagonal Sport" and "Muy Pertegaz" are regrettably no longer produced and are today among the classics of Spanish perfumery.
Born in Olba (Teruel) in 1918, he moved with his family to Barcelona in 1927. In 1930, at the tender age of 12, the young Manuel was lucky enough to start an apprenticeship with a jeweler in Barcelona, thus getting to know the world of luxury.
In 1942, at the age of 24, he opened his first fashion salon in Barcelona on Avenida Diagonal, a boulevard of Barcelona that runs diagonally through the otherwise checkered city. In 1948, at the age of 30, he opened his first store in Madrid. He triumphed in a postwar capital that yearned for a little luxury. In 1953, at the age of 36, he traveled to the United States for the first time. His creations surprised the fashion industry there and he received orders from all the major houses.
His creations were successful worldwide and when Christian Dior died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1957, Manuel Pertegaz was traded as his successor, but declined the offer. At the first European Fashion Gala in Mexico in 1960 and in the Spanish Pavilion during the 1964 World's Fair in New York, his contributions attracted international attention.
Then in 1965, the first perfume "Pertegaz" was launched.
In 1968, his first prêt-à-porter boutique opened in Spain. By 1969, 700 people were working in his salons in Madrid and Barcelona. Prêt-à-Porter had more and more followers from 1970 and Manuel Pertegaz developed fashion especially for this clientele. In 1974 his second fragrance "Muy Pertegaz" was launched, and in 1982 his last two fragrances "Diagonal" and "Diagonal Sport".
For the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he dressed top model Pat Cleveland as "Dama de Paraguas" ("Umbrella Lady"). For his contribution to the Olympic Games he received the "Golden Peseta".
Manuel Pertegaz has received further international attention and state and royal honors. In 2001 he presented his book "Universo de la Moda".
In 2002, 2003 and 2004 followed further awards and exhibitions. In 2004 he created the wedding dress for the wedding of the Spanish Crown Prince and Crown Princess. In 2009 he was awarded the "Primer Premio Nacional de Diseño de Moda", the first national prize for fashion design, by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
Very many awards, international prizes and honorary titles distinguish the influential fashion designer. Manuel Pertegaz - at the age of 94 today - is one of the greats of the fashion industry in Spain and is mentioned in the same breath as Cristobal Balenciaga. At all times, he had the right feeling for capturing the spirit of the times. His prêt-à-porter collections as well as the creations of the haute couture are milestones of fashion even in the present day.
The perfumes of Manuel Pertegaz "Pertegaz", "Diagonal", "Diagonal Sport" and "Muy Pertegaz" are regrettably no longer produced and are today among the classics of Spanish perfumery.
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